Assessment

The following assignments are opportunities for learners to demonstrate their understanding of the course outcomes. Please confirm assignment details with your instructor, referring to the course syllabus.

Note that Assignment dropboxes are located in Moodle. Also refer to the Course Schedule in Moodle for the specific due dates.

Learning Logs

After you have completed each unit, you can draw on the lessons and learning activities to complete the following Learning Log Entries:

Grading Criteria:

Your Learning Log Entries should be approximately 250 words long and will be graded according to the following checklist:

Grading Criteria
Content: All parts of the writing prompt are addressed.
Organization: Response is organized, and ideas are adequately developed, clear, and have sufficient detail.
Paragraph structure: Paragraphs have a clear, central idea and ideas are linked. There is some attempt at managing cohesion.
Formatting: Page format, citations, and references are appropriate to style (APA, MLA, etc.)
Grammar: Some errors in grammar, punctuation, or vocabulary, yet does not detract from meaning.
Word Choice: Academic register and tone is developing, with some variation in word choice and sentence type.
Critical Thinking: All parts of the writing prompt are addressed. Displays critical thinking and understanding of the content

Unit 1 Learning Log:

Log Entry 1.1: Self-introduction and self-analysis of academic writing strengths and weaknesses

Review the results of your diagnostic writing activity and reflections on your personal writing process; then, write a short reflection (up to 1 page double-spaced) on the following:

In what areas do you excel as a writer? What parts of the writing process do you enjoy?
What areas require improvement in your writing? What parts of the writing process do you struggle with?

Draw from specific examples in your diagnostic and past experiences with writing.

Log Entry 1.2: Email and Messaging Task

Write a sample email message to your SKLS 500 instructor explaining that you have a question about one of the assignments in the class. Include all the appropriate parts of a formal email: subject line, salutation, message, closing remark, sign off and your name.

Unit 2 Learning Log:

Learning Log Entry 2.1: Read and Reflect (Case Study)

Read the following case study that describes a fictional situation:

Maria has to write an essay about the dangers of overfishing. The professor informs the learners that they will need to use at least 3 references in their paper. Maria spends a lot of time researching and finding various resources (videos, journal articles, and websites). When it is time to write her paper, she only includes journal articles as references because she thinks that is all the professor wants to see. She includes some ideas from the videos she watched and even adds a couple sentences from a website that she thought sounded really good. A week after submitting her paper, her professor asks to speak to her in private.

Write in your learning log about the situation making sure to answer these questions:

Why do you think Maria’s professor wants to speak to her?
Do you think Maria knowingly or unknowingly made an error? Why?
What should Maria have done differently? How can she solve this problem?
What strategies will you use to help avoid Academic Dishonesty in your course assignments?
Do you have any questions or concerns about Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism?

Learning Log Entry 2.2:

After completing this unit, including the learning activities, use the following guiding questions:

In your previous educational experiences, how important was Academic Honesty?
When you used other’s words (or sources) in your writing, did you use a particular style? How will it be different for you in writing course papers now?
What seems the most challenging or confusing about academic integrity and integrating sources?
What strategies do you think you’ll use to cite, integrate sources, and references?

Unit 3 Learning Log:

Learning Log Entry 3.1: Analyze your own writing, then reflect.

First, find and read your most recent writing assignments. Analyze your paragraphs in terms of form: Do they have a clear topic sentence, supporting ideas, and concluding sentence? Next, consider whether paragraphing is organized and whether your writing flows, or it there some ‘choppiness.’ Finally, reflect on the following questions.

Do you feel you are using good paragraph form and do all paragraphs in your writing include topic sentences?
Do you use transition words and phrases in your writing? Why or why not?
What are some strategies you could use to ensure your papers flow and paragraph development is cohesive?

Learning Log Entry 3.2:

For this second Learning Log entry, you are asked to review papers you have written in your other graduate degree programs, or in your undergraduate program.

First, reflect on the similarities and difference between paper structure and the importance of a thesis or purpose statement, developing and following a structure to paragraphing, and the need for cohesion between paragraphs and within paragraphs.

Then, write 2 –4 questions you will ask yourself when you are writing or revising your academic papers.

Unit 4 Learning Log:

Learning Log Entry 4.1:

Reflect on the research process, including defining your research question, developing search keywords for your research question, and refining your search results. Do you have any questions about any part of the process? Did you learn something new in the process which you can apply in your future research process?

Learning Log Entry 4.2:

Reflect on choosing credible sources and the tips on how to read a journal article. Do you have any questions?

Unit 5 Learning Log:

Learning Log Entry 5.1: Reflect on the Assessment activity on formatting and page set up.

How familiar are you with setting up a document for writing? I.e., Using MS word, google docs, or other programs for writing.
What do you think you will need to practice more, or you will need help/guidance with? Where will you go for this help.
What was new for you in terms of page set up and formatting?

Learning Log Entry 5.2: Reflect on the features of Scholarly Writing

As you will be developing your scholarly writing, what aspects of style, mechanics, and tone will you need to focus on? What areas are a concern for you or you will need guidance/help with? How will you seek that help.

Unit 6 Learning Log:

Note: For the Learning Logs in Units 6, 7, & 8, your instructor will choose topics from each unit. Please refer to the instructions from your instructor on how to complete the learning logs for these three units.

Learning Log Entry 6.1: Discussion Board Posts

If you have already written a discussion board post, if not refer to the example in Activity 1.1, then evaluate it according to the tips discussed in this unit topic. Then, in 1 -2 paragraphs, write about:

the process of writing/responding to a discussion board post (the steps).
any information you already knew before this lesson and what was new for you.
what you will be focusing on when you write your ‘next’ discussion board post.

Learning Log Entry 6.2: Reflective Writing

For your learning log. In 250 words, reflect on what you’ve learned about writing reflective papers or personal responses. Make sure to include the following:

First summarize the main features of a reflective paper. Was anything new for you?
Then reflect on what you will need to remember or focus on when you write your next reflective writing assignment? What questions do you still have regarding reflective writing assignments?

Learning Log Entry 6.3: Reflect on Writing Summary -Response Papers.

In this learning log reflect on writing a summary response paper and the process of writing it: Critical reading, writing a summary, and writing a response. When you do write a summary response for a class, what will be your process for writing? Pre-writing and drafting strategies?

Unit 7 Learning Log:

Learning Log 7.1: Complete a learning reflecting on your selected article and the writing process

Based on what you have read…

Do you think this article would be good for an article review? Why or why not?
What would be your assessment of the article?
What do you believe would be your biggest challenge in writing an article review?
Do you have any questions regarding this topic?

Learning Log 7.2: Read and evaluate a book review; use the information from the unit to help you identify areas you could improve

Read the following book review The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. Based on what you’ve learned in this unit, write a learning log about what you feel this book review did well and how it could be improved. Make sure you include the following points to link it back to the material in this course pack:

What did you like about this book review? What did you not like?
Did the author include all required sections (citation, introduction, summary, opinion, conclusion)?
Do you feel that the structure was easy to follow?
Is there information that, as a reader, you wish was included or taken out?
Did the author write in a respectful and academic manner?
What is your evaluation of this book review?
Based on the evaluation of this sample book review, what do you think you did well on the book review assessment? What do you need to continue working on for this genre of assignment?

[link book review; file attached separately]

Learning Log 7.3: Complete a learning reflecting on your business analysis report and the writing process

Based on what you have read…

What are the characteristics of a good business analysis report?
What would be your assessment of the business analysis report you wrote?
What do you believe would be your biggest challenge in writing an article review?
Do you have any questions regarding this topic?

Learning Log 7.4: Read a sample case study and reflect on writing effective case studies

Read the sample case study and reflect on writing effective case studies. (attach pdf file- Sample Case-Study-CRM-in-Center-Parcs-APA). Use the guiding questions below to write a 250-word reflection.

What is the main aim of this case study? Can you as a reader easily identify the thesis statement?
Does this case study cover the main components of a case study? Explain with evidence.
Does the case study convey an academic and formal tone? Explain with evidence.
Does this case study effectively use third-person perspective throughout? Explain with evidence.
Does this case study express causes and effects clearly? Explain with evidence.
What are some questions (2-4) you can ask yourself when you are writing or revising your case study?

Unit 8 Learning Log:

Learning Log Entry 8.1: Writing an Annotated Bibliography

Self-assess your annotation using the guidelines you have learned in this unit and complete a learning reflection by considering the guiding questions below:

How effective do you think your reading process was?
In the first paragraph, how well do you think you summarized the key information of the source article? Explain with reasons.
In the second paragraph, how strong and critical do you think your evaluation was? Explain with reasons. Did you explain how this source article could fit in with your main argument for the assignment?
What strategies did you use to revise your original draft to be more concise?
What do you believe would be your biggest challenge in writing an annotated bibliography?
Do you have any questions regarding this topic?

Learning Log Entry 8.2: Reflect on the process of writing a synthesis paragraph

Reflect on the process of writing a synthesis paragraph. Using the following questions to guide your reflection.

What was your process in refining your research question/thesis statement?
Did you apply the critical reading and note taking strategies discussed? If no, why not?
When writing your summary and review of the article, were you able to address all of the question? Was there any irrelevant information?
What are some important things to remember for writing synthesis effectively?
What are your main takeaways from this lesson on writing a good research paper/literature review?

Learning Log Entry 8.3: Reflect on Researching and Writing a Marketing Plan

Reflect on the process of writing a Marketing Plan. Use the following questions to guide your reflection.

In this lesson, what was new for you? What did you already know before? do you have any further questions about writing a Marketing Plan?
Based on the outline discussed in this lesson, what parts will you need to research? How will you search for the needed information? Will you use scholarly articles or will you be using tertiary or grey literature for your Marketing Plan? (connect to unit 4).
What are your main takeaways from this lesson on writing a good Marketing Plan?

Learning Log Entry 8.4: Reflect and Assess (Literature Review)

Reflect on the planning, organizing, and writing you will do when writing your literature review.

What are your key takeaways from this session topic?
What is your plan for writing your Literature Review? What is your plan for researching and planning (pre-writing strategies)? What about drafting and revising?
How will you manage your time and the workload of class work in addition to this assignment?
Do you have any further questions about researching and writing your literature review?

8.17 Assignments

Essay Reverse Outline

This assignment will be due at the end of Unit 3. Check your syllabus for the exact due date.

Read the essay on “A Modern Prescription for Poetry.”

Deconstruct this essay by completing the reverse outline provided below. You can write answers in ‘brief’ sentences, or for specific information, you can copy/paste. After each paragraph/section, reflect on the effectiveness of each.

Use this Template to complete the reverse outline. You can copy/paste or use point form.

Introduction
1. Thesis statement
2. Main supporting points
Body Paragraph 1 (repeat for body paragraphs 2, 3, 4, and so on.)
1. Topic Sentence
2. Supporting sentence: A Modern Prescription for Poetry.
3. Concluding sentence
Conclusion
1. Restated Thesis
2. Summarized ideas
3. Final idea(s)

Note: When you submit your assignment – label document as: ReverseOutline_September3_FullName

8.18 Quizzes

After completing Unit 2, including the learning activities, you are asked to complete the Academic Honesty and Plagiarism Quiz. Read each question and choose the correct answer. The passing grade 80%. If you have questions, please make sure to bring them to your next one-on-one appointment with your writing coach. Go to the Assessment section in Moodle to take the quiz.